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Another piece of the puzzle

"[Dichter] also understood that [American] consumers felt guilt after buying self-indulgent [sic] products, so marketers had to sell such things as tobacco and candy as 'rewards' for the deserving. Much of this is taken for granted now, but when [in the 1940s] Dichter was whispering these sweet nothings in the ears of CEOs, they were revelatory."

Just in case you were wondering why you are so convinced that you "deserve" that cookie, even when you aren't hungry. Or why you think eating will make you feel better when what you really need is a hug.

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“The best way to pray is: stop. Let prayer pray within you whether you know it or not. This means a deep awareness of your true inner identity.... By grace we are Christ. Our relationship with God is that of Christ to the Father in the Holy Spirit." -- Father Louis, alias Thomas Merton